Nicky Forster has welcomed Dean Cox back into the Albion starting line-up with open arms.

The skipper says the players were fully behind the decision by manager Dean Wilkins to drop Cox from the squad for two matches for disciplinary reasons.

They are now glad to have the creative little winger in the team again as they push for a play-off place.

Cox returned to the side on the right flank in Tuesday's crucial 2-1 victory at fifth-placed Walsall.

He was axed from the previous matches against Carlisle and Gillingham for remarks made about team-mates while sitting on the bench after being substituted against Leyton Orient at Withdean.

Wilkins doubled the length of Cox's punishment, having left him out for one match in December for his involvement in a dressing room row following the home defeat by Nottingham Forest.

Forster, who fired Albion level at Walsall, said: "It's very much dealt with in-house. Coxy is an effervescent character, both on and off the field, and sometimes his temperament gets the better of him.

"It just needs to be channelled and monitored in the right way and that is what the manager thought was the right way of dealing with it and I think everyone was comfortable with that, even Dean if he is honest.

"It's part of a manager's job, man management. That is a big part of the game. Coxy sometimes needs that talking to but I will never put the guy down.

"His work ethic is fantastic. He gives us a different dimension and I like him as a lad as well, so I certainly won't be criticising him.

"It was good to see him back out on the pitch. That's where we need him. He is a liverwire, sometimes the spark we need.

"It's important we keep him channelled the right way and get him turning in good performances."

Albion's first away win since the match missed by Cox in December at Swindon edged them up to 11th, among six teams within three points of Walsall.

Wilkins is relishing the home clash with second-placed Doncaster on Saturday.

The Seagulls boss said: "It's mad isn't it? Our League and the Championship are both very tight. We are on a decent run of form, even with the defeat at Carlisle.

"If I wasn't the manager and I was living in Brighton, the Doncaster game is definitely one I would want to come and see."